Despite the recession, PEP’s graduates have been able to demonstrate a 100% employment rate within 90 days of release. In fact, the average time “from prison to paycheck” was only 26 days in 2011!

Why do PEP graduates make excellent employees? Consider that they have all surpassed the following challenges through their participation in PEP:

Each year, PEP selects ONLY the top 200-250 participants from a pool of more than 2,000+ applications.

Before acceptance into our elite program, the men must complete an intense, 20+ page written application along with a grueling “character assessment” interview that is used to gauge their commitment to living a transformed life.

Once they have been accepted, the program involves:

1,000+ hours of training from a college-level textbook on entrepreneurship

Developing a high-quality business plan that they can defend in a 30-minute presentation before a panel of “free world” executives

Toastmasters course . . . including over 120 personal presentations of their business plan

Hundreds more hours of homework, group activities, public events and more

In brief, these men have been challenged time and time again — and they have succeeded when many others would have quit.

This same level of discipline, focus and energy can be leveraged to build YOUR business. Plus, you are hiring someone who is HIGHLY MOTIVATED to excel in the job that you offer them. This is not a charity case, but something that is in your best interest.

To top it off — you can receive the following benefits as an employer of ex-offenders:

Federal Tax Credit: The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides a federal tax credit of up to $2,400 per qualifying employee to businesses that hire individuals with criminal records.

The Federal Bonding Program: This program protects businesses against employee theft or dishonesty by providing six months of coverage (ranging from $5,000 to $25,000) at NO COST to the job applicant or the employer. Better still, no paperwork is required on the part of the employer! See more at http://www.bonds4jobs.com/.

Hire a great employee… earn a tax credit… receive free bonding to protect you from employee dishonesty …. what are you waiting for??? Contact Nelson Duncan today at nduncan@pep.org to meet some great PEP graduates who can become your next great employees!